I concur with the prior opinions, Barona is a fantastic course. It has a grand scale, and a feel of open space. Yet, you just can't stand up on the tee and wail at the ball. Todd did a superb job of utilizing the natural features of the land and building some really stunning bunker and green complexes. Though the course is relatively new and the turf is immature in places, Sandy is doing a great job of achieving the ideal maintenance meld with Todd's design (firm and fast is the way to go!).
With only two rounds on the course, I am only minimally familiar with Barona's strategic offerings. Play on the relatively easy first hole is greatly impacted by a single large oak tree (the only tree that I can recall not being on the periphery of the course) guarding the last 75 yards to the hole. I tried to go around it on the left side the first day and ended up underneath it in the mulch with a restricted backswing. Went to the right on the second day and ended in a fairway trap. One of the prettiest holes, the par 3 11th, utilizes a natural rock formation on the right, and though playing between 150 and 180, I didn't get within 10 yards of the putting surface either day. The difficult 18th hole requires a tee shot close to the lake for the best approach to the green. Hit it right and you are looking at a partially blind shot with water on the left, and a swale (?) to the seemingly safe right. End up there and you are faced with an impossible chip running towards the water. Frightening, but great fun.
The biggest problems that I saw at the course deal more with business and administrative aspects. As a resort/casino course, it may be too difficult for the target market. This could be alleviated somewhat by aggressive marshalling, making sure that patrons are playing the correct set of tees, thining out the native grasses immediately around the course and in front of the tees, and softening the fairways and greens. I am a relatively fast player and it took my foursome (two of us walking) nearly 5 hours to play with nobody in front of us. While it is a walkable course, the distances between tees and greens are not short and the terrain is difficult. Management reports that nearly everyone rides, which, for me at least, making carts mandatory to overcome speed of play concerns would detract greatly from the experience. The difficult, beautiful bunkers are also a problem to the average golfer, and from a maintenance standpoint, I wonder whether they can establish enough grass on the edges to retain their shape.
I believe that most on this site would greatly enjoy playing Barona Creek. It incorporates many of the features that we deem important. Todd is to be highly commended for his efforts here. BTW, I heard that the irrigation system cost about a $1.5 Million. Does anyone have the total project cost excluding the clubhouse and land?